Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-06-10

similar ones in very limited numbers, formed In
the community u well.thumbed circulating Ii
brary for settlers living miles apart. And there
were weddings and christenings and merry
muliings in those days, when new shining pew
ter came down from the rude dresser ON the
wall, and the decantcr took the place OF tho
little brown Jug and corn-cob stopper The
currency was that OF skins of various animals,
all OF which had given value. The first Gin
cnnati merchant who brought barrel OF cop
per coins to flood the market was nearly
mObbed, and flew the town between two days,
though not perhaps, to Canada, TO some less
distant scclusion.
Matters progressed, however, for Judge
Symmes wrote with some pride In 1901 that
there were nov several good houses ut North
Bend, shingled with mills, with good stone chin
ncys and sash windows with glass in them"
Coffee came too, nt length, at one dollar per
pound, salt six dollars for nifty pounds, calico
one dollar per yard, and so on for value for sim
liar luxurics.
An old gentleman who lived In these parts
until few years since, and who said he had
shot wolves from his own door, once told us the
following lively little incident illustrative of the
dramatic entertainments OF those days. 1t was
the custom when one man killed domestic
animal for his neighbors TO join and make quick
work of the task, each man taking piece
home, paying back In turn when his beast
should be slain. Upon one such occasion
he started home little late In the afternoon
with stout section of calf slung over his
shoulder. Between Indians and wild animals
IL was rare for u pioneer TO be out without u
gun for q companion even in midday, but
upon this occasion he was, rs might be said,
alone. He walked, too, more leisurey home
ward through the forest path than was his
won't The evening sun cast his shadow with
that OF all the tall trees and bushes on either
side far ahead, while many n wild bird, gymnas-
tic squirrel and rabbit enlivened the air and the
rustling leaves below So with the dead
| branches cracking here and there under his
own footsteps, II was natural not TO be startled
| by slight noises in any quarter At length,
| however, he became suddenly aware of the
tread OF some light infantry and the barking
| of wolf. This was n familiar incident. But
soon there came another. This was amusing
as wolves except in numbers were afraid OF
| the familiar woodsman. Anotherg This was
\ interesting. Three wolves might be dangerous
company. Suddenly his footsteps grew quick
and light. Anotheri Wondering at this strange
! boldness he no more ran, but leaped forward
toward the open clearing, the wolves now bark
| ing and bowling on either side. An old hunter
| is not easily frightened, but a heot'footed pack
| of wolves with highly animated countenances
was decidedly startling. Weary with the chase
all at once he thought OF the fresh meat upon
| his shoulder, the sweet scent OF which, with
| the barking, had attracted such number. The
meat suddenly fell And, while the gentle
| crown were QuuIltllNE ONcl thtll pooASi uAl uH-
| protected hero escaped.
| The Indians were meantime liable TO give
dramatic entertainments OF o much more pic
| turesque character. The soldiers in the frequent
| forts being wel up also in their parts in re-
hearsas well rs in pitched battles. The star
actor OF all this Western Country was our North
Bend hero General Harrison and II he Is not
now in the Wallhalla OF heroes, 1t is because he
has gone still higher, and that none of us should
| doubt VIC tell our beads before a worthy shrine,
let us recount only lightly his origin and worthy
| deeds.
General Harrison was the son OF the Hon.
| Benz. Harrison, who was a member OF the Con-
tinental Congress, signer OF tho Declaration
of Independence and three times Governor OF
Virginia. His son was worthy OF such an honor
ed father, and o man of large and generous
| heart, with spirit and sagaciiy, guided by an un-
| swerying sense OF honor. His father designed
him for a physician, but upon his death, the
| son, Just about 10 enter upon his medical
studies in Philadelphia, turned back TO follow
his own inclination for q military life. His first
appearance in this section OF country was as
commander OF Fort Washington which stood
on the spot where Third and Main streets now
cross each other. Afterward he was appointed
| Secretary OF tho Northwestern Territory, com
prsing Indlana Illinois, Michigan and Wiscon'
! s!n, from which lo was CHOSEN pelegatp " Coa,